Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
395. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts continue to be made to ensure the continued stability in the western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19094/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland continues to be a friend and supporter of the Western Balkans, and we continue to advocate for the accession of the countries of the Western Balkans to the European Union, believing this to be the best path for the continued peace and prosperity of the region.
The EU agreed to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia in March this year, and Member States are currently considering negotiating frameworks and updates for each country. Once these are agreed, ideally before the end of the year, formal negotiations can begin.
The enlargement process itself has been reformed, in order to enhance credibility through a stronger focus on fundamental reforms, facilitate greater political control of the process, and insert more dynamism through organising chapters into thematic clusters. Predictability will be increased by giving more clarity on the positive consequences of reforms, as well as negative consequences for backsliding or stagnation. This revised methodology will increase the stability benefits of participating in the accession process for current and future candidate countries.
Serbia and Montenegro continue to make progress on their accession path. Montenegro now has all chapters open, and Serbia has 18 out of 35 chapters open. Both must now make a concerted effort to improve on rule of law issues, while Serbia must improve its CFSP alignment and normalise relations with Kosovo.
On the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, the new EU Special Representative, Miroslav Lajcak, has made significant efforts to bring all stakeholders back to the negotiating table and to ensure that the European interest in maintaining stability in the region is represented. Progress in these talks will be essential for both Serbia and Kosovo to move forwards on their European path. Ireland enjoys very positive relations with both countries and continues to provide personnel who serve with both the KFOR and EULEX missions in Kosovo.
Twenty-five years on from the Srebrenica genocide and the Dayton Accords, Bosnia and Herzegovina still has much work to do before it can apply for candidate status. Ireland shares the EU position that the prospect of EU membership is a powerful agent for the promotion of reform and stability in the country, and to that end we support the work of the EUSR’s Office in Sarajevo. Ireland also continues to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stability through contributions to the EU peacekeeping force, EUFOR Althea.
The EU, with Ireland’s support, has also made a concerted effort to ensure that the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic do not destabilise the Western Balkans. In April, the Commission announced a financial package worth over three billion Euros to help address immediate health needs as well as assist with the social and economic recovery of the region.
